News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1887-08-18
NIchad r. Parker.

,ne late Richard f. Parker,
heid at Masonic Hall, Wolcott, Vt.
July -, by NJ. D. Scott, W. M. of
Mineral Lodge =
The draped altar of orr Iodon ramipds
us that one of our number is monrned
one 10 whom we have been accustomed
to look tor council and adyice-to whom
we as Masons are greatly indebted. has
passed away; one whom we have hon
ored and loved is no more. The year
could not pass without adding another
name to our frates p dead. 1t is natur-
al and appropriate EhiIe reviewing the
deeds of the livirS % bear in mind our
brethren who are numbered with the
ueau' especially SAe who was mainly
instrumental in establishing here both
Mineral Lodge of f. & A. Nj. and Crys-
tai Chapter, o. E. (.
Toward the cloj of bright Sabbath
day. on May 22d, 2 the sun was she'd
alng Its last goldeIr. avs, the spirit of our
DroCher, Richard i: Parker, returned to
goa VINO gave it. ut few months had
passed since we left the grave of our es-
teemed sister, Harriet S. Parker. Scarce
had we wiped away the tears we shed
upon her last resting place, when we are
again called to offer up to his memory
the last tribute of our affection. AS we
look about and through this our place of
monthly gathering, it seems as though
we must see the form and face of our
departed Brother. With all our associa-
tlons with MineraHLodge and Crystal
ChapCer lie has been more or less init
nlately connected, always taking prom
inenC part IN its proceedings. Not upon
MIN as he lies in the silent tomb, do we
look, but upon the kindly face and robust
form as he moved among US, ever giving
us good council and cheer as the occasion
required. The highest position to which
ms brethren could elevate him in the 18th
Masonic District as District Deputy,
Grand Master. and as Worshipftll Master
OF Mineral Lodge, and his continued re-
election eo the SAGE. and%~ E.Vorthy Pat
ron OF Crystal Chapter for several years,
attest their appreciation of the many
virtues and Masonic abilities to which he
was entitled. Brother Parker was first
raised to the sublime degree of Master
Mason August LIST, A. D. 1868, in Mt.
Vernon Lodge No. s. He was appointed
Sen. Warden June IL. A. D. 1859, under a
dlspensation by order of Brother Geo.
NJ. Hall, Most WOrshiptul Grand Master
OF the Grand Lodge of Vermont to form
new lodge of F. and A. NJ, afterwards
styled Mineral Lodge. He was elected
Worshiptul master Jnne u, A. D. 1870,
and honored that position continually
until December &c, A. d. 1876, when by
his earnest request, his brethren excused
HIM from reelection and presented him
with Fast Master jewel as a token of
Cnelr sincere esteem and in recognition of
his service. From the records of the
Lodge we find that he has raised 80 per-
sons to the sublime degree of Master
Mason. For several years past there has
Deen a desire with many of the brethren
to again elect Brother Parker Worshipful
Master, and in December, A. d. 1888, he
was elected Junior Warden and served as
such until in December, A. D. 1885, when
he was again elected as Senior Warden
and installed as such, but never again
honored that position, as his health be-
gan to fail him so seriously at that time
as to cause him to be absent ever after
wards from the communications of the
Lodge. Up to this time his name APP
pears on the records of the Lodge as
present at nearly every communication.
This is Brother Parker's Masonic record.
short and simple as it is; full of sadness;
that brother so prominent among us
should, when the nOOntide OF his life had
but just passed, be called away to be
with us no more forever. More sad to
that circle i'll which he was beloved
father.
1t is not nay purpose, even had [ the
material at hand, to trace the home and
business life of our late Brother through
the years he passed with us. 1t is suffi-
Gent to say that the high esteem in
which he was held by his family, his
neighborS and associates as the loving
head of the family, the respected citizen
a oi,rh l, -,
love and esteem of all with whom he as
ISOLATED within those relations. Brother
Parker was firm and independent man,
yet full of kindly feeling. ever willing to
assist the poor and afflicted. He was
most interchangeable in promoting the in
terests OF our Masonic orders. He shrank
from no task calling for effort on his part,
but cheerful undertook the most ardu-
gus lnb"r aud accepted ttIS most eSllct-1
ing calls upon his time. in forwarding
the cause he had so truly at heart. Bril-
liant in the discharge of his duties. un-
firing III his Jealous energy, possessing
those qualities which attract the minds
of men, it is impossible to measure his
service to us. 1t is mournful coinci-
dence that Brother and Sister Parker
were both taken from us within a few
short months. One year ago to-day Sis
ter Parker's spirit passed to that immor-
tai life where death comes not. To-day
in the cemetery in the hill they lie sleep
ing side by side. In life their names
were linked together for good, and now
they have gone almost together to that
Grand Lodge and Chapter above.
One by one the chairs stand vacant.
That were filled by those we loved
One by one a dear one absent,
Gone 10 that Fraternal home above
Standing in this presence Tonight,
pleasant "reminiscences of him, mingled
with sadness, fit over our memory. 1t
is pleasant to recall one who was ever
prompt to promote harmony and the well
fare of the fraternity. Tonight our
hearts are filled with sadness to know
we shall meet him here never again. But
we will gratefully remember his constant
and the ability and fidelity
which characterized his disposition. His |
of manner and generous ma
ture, supported by fearless truthfulness
his memory will still live in his good |
deeds and fruitful example. But whilst |
we mourn our loss let us be admonished |
that in the midst of life we are in death, |
and so live and act our parts that we may
In submission bow to the will of Him |
who doeth all things well.''
IT'S hard to be parted from those
with whom we forever would DWELL
But bitter indeedls the SORROW that flows
When Say,-HMV farayUaII